Index.



ivo. 732,679.

UNITED STATES iatented June 3 0, 190i PATENT OF IC WILLARD 1-1. GILMAN, on MEDFORD, nssAoHUs T'rs, AssIc oR or onn I HALF TO WILLIAM H. GANNETT, F AUGUSTA, MAINE.

: INDEX.

s'l ncrnroncrron forming part of Letters PatentNo. 732,679, dated Juneso, 19oz.

Applicationfiledll'une 16.1902. $erial No. 111,867. No magi.)

The object of thep'resent invent-ion is to provide an improved form of index to take theplace of the cardsystem nowin vogue, as well as to supersede the forms of book-indexes now in use.

In most indexes where cards or leaves are divided into groups under general indexingsymbols and the cards or leaves of each group subindexed it is the custom to have the individual card or leaf index. denote the second letter orfirst vowel in a name, or it may be the second numeral of a figure. The prevailing system of the character indicated greatly limits the capabilities of an index, not only by restricting subdivision, but also by precluding uniform distribution of entries.

My invention provides for subindexing by the third letter of a name, which greatly enlarges the capabilities of an index by permitting more extensive subdivision, as well as by affording opportunity for a more nearly uniform distributionofentries by groups.

Furthermore, my invention provides for an index structure of extreme flexibility capable of being easily carried in'one hand and at the same time manipulated while moved over a set of books, a complete index structure being made possible by my invention which will be so short, measured fromtop to bottom, so comparatively thin, and so fiexible that it can be grasped atthe middle of its width, the hand spanning the index, while the thumb may be employed to open the index at different places, all While the subindieating-symbols ofan entire group are kept in sight. In suchan embodiment of the invention'the index will preferably be in book form, permanently bound. However, where the invention is to be substituted for the card system or is to provide in itself a medium for keeping accounts provision is made for removability of leaves on which individual entries are carried, and in this connection the inventionembraces a special construction of basesupport for the index structure which allows of the leaves being turned over independently of each other, so that theentire page is easily accessible for making entries and exposable for readingthe same. When embodied as last indicated, the invention embraces a second subindexingviz., indexing of groups of leaves for individual entries when arranged between the members of a group of leaves themselves subindexed under a general heading. 7

Further, the invention provides for combining in one structure two kinds'of indexes, one governed by a single subindexing and the other by a second subindexing under the same first subindex.

With the above-stated and other incidental objects in view the invention consists in certain novel arrangements of parts and features of construction, the essential elements whereof are recited in the appended claims and preferred forms of embodiment whereof are specifically. described hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whereof- Figure 1 represents in cross-section a, portion of a drawer with index structures therein embodying my invention. Fig. 2 repre- 8o sents the same in plan View. Fig. 3'represents one of the indexing structures removed from the drawer and in plan with the top leaf turned back. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary edge or side view, on a reduced scale, of a modified form of index structure, showing portions of the spacing-leaves. Fig. 5 is an isometric representation of an index-book embodying the invention with the cover and first index-leaf thrown back and a number of 0 groups of indexing-leaves lifted. 4

In Figs. 1 to 3 the invention is shown em bodied in a system designed to take theplace of the well-known card system, wherein the cards are generally arranged in subdivisions 5 of drawers, and in Fig. 1 the reference-letter a designates such a drawer. vThe form of index here shown comprises a base-board 1), adapted to lie flatly against the bottom of the drawer and having a series of shoulders I) in planes at right angles to the bottom surface 7 of the board and formed with sloping or inclined backs b". A set of leaves 0, preferably of comparatively heavy material, are

permanently fastened to said backs b by glue or otherwise, and these leaves overlap at their outer ends, so that each leaf will have a marginal portion 0', protruding beyond the leaf in front sufficiently to bear inscriptions visible without lifting any of the leaves. The front or top leaf 0 is of somewhat heavier material than the others, and a back leaf 0" of similar material is fastened to the back edge of the block b, said edge being beveled on the same angle as the backs of the shoulders. The marginal portions 0 of the leaves are preferably inscribed with the letters of the alphabet in their regular order and distributed according to the character of the indexing to be done and the frequency with which certain third letters will be encountered in names. The whole set of leaves 0 will be grouped under a general head as a single letter of the alphabet, or it may be a number of letters, here shown as inscribed upon a tab or ear (I, fastened to the first leaf in such a Way as not to hide any of the letters on the marginal portions 0' of the leaves. Between the leaves 0 groups of loose leaves or cards e are placed with their inner edges abutting the shoulders I), each of such groups of loose leaves being covered normally by one of the leaves a. The loose leaves of a group are cut back in gradation at their outer edges, so as to form stepped ears or tabs 6, and if the limited length of the leaves or cards does not permit the exposure of portions of all of the loose leaves or cards used by means of one set of these stepped ears with room enough for the desired inscriptions the group of loose leaves may be divided into two or more sets, each cut back as described, and I have here shown such an arrangement, the under set of loose leaves e being sufliciently longer than the upper set to protrude beyond the same the width of the tabs or ears. (See Fig. 3.) Thus the ears of all the leaves will be disclosed when the covering-leaf c is raised.

In indexing names with the above-described form of embodiment of the invention each name is given a separate loose leaf e, on which an account may be kept or data entered. The tabs or cars a bear the initials of the names, and the third letters of the names are indicated by the letters on the marginal portions 0 of the leaves 0, while the first letters of the namtis are indicated by the inscription on the tab 6.

Of course it is to be understood that the device above described is but one of a sufficient number to make a complete alphabetical index and in each division of a drawer, as a, a number of index structures may be assembled, one behind another, as shown in Fig. 1, and the marginal inscriptions on the leaves 0 of each will be visible, as well as all the tabs (Z, as shown by Fig. 2. It will be seen that any one of the index structures can be taken out bodily and replaced at pleasure without disturbing any others, and the subdividingleaves a turn back easily, each on its own distinct line of flexure without obstructionby any other leaf or leaves. Then the loose leaves or cards work independently and not only can be turned and laid back readily, but any one of them can be removed altogether and replaced. In this form of embodiment of the invention (illustrated by Figs. 1 to 3) the subdividing-leaves care preferably blank,as they are not designed to receive entries, all entries being made on the loose leaves or cards. However, it is within the scope of the invention to dispense with groups of leaves between the overlapping alphabetically inscribed leaves and to use the latter for entries of names, and in Fig. 5 the invention is shown so embodied. Here reference-letter c designates the overlapping leaves, which in this instance are superposed one directly over another and bound together in any suitable manner either temporarily or permanently within covers f, the front one of which is shorter than the back, so as to expose a set of general indicating-tabs (Z The leaves a of a group are graduated in length to provide the successively-overlapping marginal portions 0 hearing alphabetical inscriptions. As this book-form structure is to comprise a complete index in itself, there are as many groups of these overlapped leaves as needed for the tabs (1 which indicate first letters of names. One of these tabs is fastened to a blank leaf cl", extending over each group except the first or top one, and the tabs are relatively positioned, so as to allshow at once one below another, and by lifting any tab and turning back the portion of the book above it one complete set of overlapping alphabetically-inscribed third-letter-indicating set of leaves is disclosed.

It willbe seen that an index book such as above described can be made comparatively short, measured from top to bottom, and yet have great capacity, while affording unusual facility for manipulation, since it can be carried in one hand and moved over a set of books handily. The overlapping arrangement of leaves provides forindicating-inscriptions, which will also designate the part of the leaf where entries will be found-as, for example, on the leaf marked A B O the upper part would have names the third letter of which is A, while the middle part would hear names the third letter of which is B, and the lower part names the third letter of which is C.

A book such as above described may be constructed to carry additional leaves between the alphabetically-inscribed leaves after the manner illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, so as to have in a single structure two types of index, one for the indexing as to entries on the alphabeticallyinscribed leaves themselves and the other for indexing as to entries on the loose interposed leaves without regard to the entries on the alphabeticallyinscribed leaves, but governed bythe indexing-inscriptions thereon.

While throughout this description names are referred to as the subject-matter for indexing, it will be understood that the invencuring the folded-back portions 0 against the surface of a plain base-block b It is obvious that a number of index structures embodying the invention might be arranged one below another in making up an index, so that they would be separately removable, thereby enabling more than one person to use the index at a time.

In' the practical operation of this device, referring first to Fig. 5, it is to be understood that the first leaf of the series, which carries the master-indicator A B, has been turned over, so as to expose the overlapped marginal portions of the other leaves of the series. These overlapped marginal portions are elongated in the sense that they extend practi-- cally the full width of the leaves, and said overlapped marginalportions bear .a plurality of symbols, all of which are visible simultaneously even when the leaf carrying the masterindicator is superposed-thereon. The letters on the master-indicator designate the series which are to bear names'beginning with A or B, while the symbols borne by the exposed marginal portions of the other leaves designate in a preferred use ofthe invention the third letters occurring in said names. Therefore the user can at once determine the location of an entry, owing -to the fact that there are simultaneously exposed before him the indicators of both the first and third letters of the name-entry sought.

Having thus described certain ways of embodying my invention, without intending to limit myself to the same, what I claim as new is as follows:

1. An index structure comprising a series of leaves permanently connected and having a master-initial indicator for designating the first letter of names having the same initial,- the said leaves having overlapping edges forming elongated simultaneously-visible marginal portions provided with a plurality of subinitial-indicators, and blanks operatively arranged in relation to said subindicators for the inscription of names designated by said subindicators.

2. An index structure comprising a having a series of shoulders with inclined backs, indicator-leaves fastened to the latter and groups of loose leaves or cards between said indicator-leaves, the inner edges of the loose leaves abutting the shoulders.

base

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in'the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 14th dayof June, A. D. 1902.

WILLARD H. GILMAN.

Witnesses:

MARCUS F. BRooKs, J. M. RATCLIFFE. 

